Printing telegraph system



Jan. 10, 1928. 1,655,448

E. F. WATSON PRINTING TELEGRAPH SYSTEM Filed March 50. 1926 mwnfon' [dward Wafsm Patented Jan. 10, 1928;

FFlCE.

PATENT I EDWARD E. WATSON, OF LALRCHMONT, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN TELE- PHONE AND TELEGRAPH COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK FRINTING TELEGRAJPH SYSTEM.

Application filed March so, 1926. Serial No. 98,568.

This invention relates. to telegraph systems and more particularly to printing telegraph systems, wherein local power supply at printer stations is controlled from a distant point.

An object of this invention is to reduce the current consumption and the maintenance expense incurred in the operation of the apparatus in telegraph systems.

Another object is to render the telegraph equipment efiective automatically when required for use and to disable the samewhen its service is no longer needed.

This invention is particularly adapted to those systems in which the printers are. idle for a considerable part of the time. During the idle time it is desired to have no parts in motion, and a minimum consumption of electric energy. Accordingly a feature of the invention relates to a novel mechanical arrangement in which the motor and other current using parts at a subscribers station are controlled by impulses of different characteristics transmitted from any distant station Considering this featuremoye specifically, there is provided a printer set mechanism in which the operating circuit for themotor is closed in response to the act of opening and then closing the line at any station, and is openedat the conclusion of the message by a special code signal which is received from the distant station and is effective to release the means for maintaining the motor circuit closed during the transmission of the messa e.

another feature of this invention resides in the means for preventing the printing of characters durin the interval between the transmission of the starting impulse and the first message impulse. The'above andother objects and features of this invention are set forth in the following description and appended claims and may be more readily understood if considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing illustrating the invention, in which is shown two tele raph subscribers stations interconnected through a central oflice, with only such apparatus as is necessary for a clear understanding of the invention.

Referring now to the drawing the line circuit 1 mterconnects through a central ofiice C, subscribers station A and B, station A representing for the purpose of describing the line. It is understood of course, that the apparatus (not shown) at station B is identical to that shown at station A, and is simultaneousl and correspondingly operated therewit In the arrangement shown at station A there is provided a normally operated line relay 2 which is designed-to release momentarily when a start signal is transmitted from station B for the purpose of sending a message, and in response to this signal, that is, when the line relay returns to its normally operated condition, a mechanical device comprising members 4, 5 and 6 is actuated and locked in an operated condition to effect and maintain for the duration of the message the o eration of motor 3 of the local printer. T e printer adapted for use in this invention is of the type disclosed in the copending application of H. Pfannenstiehl, filed Jul 21, 1920, Serial No. 397,903, and since t e printer structure per se does not form a art of the present invention, only so much of the structure as is necessary for a complete and clear understandingof the present invention has been shown. At the conclusion of the message a "special signal of a particular code comb1natlon is transmitted from station B to operate a shifting mechanism of the printer which effects the actuation of a pull bar 7 in thethe subscriber at station B desires to communicate telegraphically with the subscriber at station A and that the connection therebetweenis establ'shed. The subscriber at station B thereupon transmits a start signal by actuating a non-locking key 8, thereby eifecting the momentary opening of the line circuit and line relay 2 at stat on A is deenergized and reenergized accordingly. Pivotally sup orted on the free end of the armature of re ay 2is an operating'bar 4, shown in the drawing as a horizontal member, which is arranged to engage a second pivotally supported operating bar 5, shown as a vertical member. When relay 2 is deenergized in response to the start signal the relay armature is released and withdrawn from the relay by means of the tension in coil the invention, the receiving end ofspring 10. The retractive movement of the armature draws the horizontal member 4 towardthe right to permit one end of the member to engage a recess in the top of vertical member 5, the engagement being assured by the tension in coil spring 9 which connects the otherend of member 4 with the armature. The reenergfzation of relay 2 reattraets the armature and the member 4, in engagement with the recess, moves member 5 in a counter-clockwise direction to effect the closing of the operating circuit for motor 3, thereb starting the motor.

Pivota 1 supported on the framework structure {not shown) is a locking member 6 one end of which rests on a pointed projection on member 5, and when the latter member is moved to close the motor circuit this .end of member 6, which is notched, yields to the tension in coil s ring 12 and engages the pointed portion 0 the projection to hold member 5 in an operated position. Adjacent to the opposite end of member 6 there is arranged a pair of normally opened contacts 13 which are provided for the purpose of closing apath in the line, circuit so as to shunt relay 2 during the transmission of. the message, and when member 6 is operated at the closing of the motor circuit, it efiects the closing of these contacts, thereby shunting relay 2 which is now rendered non-responsive to the message impulses.

At the. conclusion of the message when it is desiredto stop motor 3, a special signal is transmitted from station B after the printing platen (not shown) of the printer described in the above mentioned copending appl'cation has been moved into its shifted position, thereby causing the. pull bar' 7 which is pivotally aflixed to the member 6 at a point adjacent to contacts 13, to move downwardly. However, it is to be understood that it is not absolutely necessary that the printer should'be in a shifted position to operate pull bar 7 because the printer can be readily adapted to perform the same function in response to any combination of impulses reserved for this urpose. The shunt circuit around relay 2 is now opened and the relay returns to its normally operated condition. The downward movement of bar 7 releases the locking engagement between members -6 and 5 and the upward movement of member 6 at the end which formed the locking engagement, raises the member 4 clear of the recess in member 5. Member 5 under the tension in coil spring 11 is restored to its normal position and the operating circuit for motor 3 is thereby opened and the motor stopped. T

When relay 2 was momentarily released in response to the start signal, rela 14 which is arranged in the normally close line circuit and is employed as a means for connecting a local battery supply for the operation of the printer selecting magnets 15, was likewise released, but at that time the motor 3 was in a non-operated condition and therefore the select ng magnets were not af fected. During the interval between the transmission of the start signal and the first message impulse the motor is operating and relay 14 is energized, and the operating circuit for the printer selecting magnets is opened at the contact of relay 14 thereby preventing the printing of any characters beforethe message is started.

Although the invention had been illustrated as applied to a particular type of system it is understood, of course, that this invention could be adapted for use in systems wherein the subscribers stations are interconnected by direct, or fixed lines, and in printing telegraph exchange systems of either the machine switching or manually operated types, and also in those systems in which the plurality of stations are connected in series. In this connection it should be noted that the line circuit may, if desired, be normally open instead of normally closed as above described. It normally open, the power would .be automatically turned on as soon as the line circuit is closed. Furthermore, in systems in which a common battery supply is furnished by a central ofiice, the energy required to operate the selecting magnets 15 of the printers at the subscribers stations may be supplied by the generators which operate the motors.

What is claimed is:

1. A communication system comprising a plurality of stations, receiving equipment including a selectively operated mechanism and a local circuit for supplying electric power at each of said stations, electromagnetic means responsive to a signal from a dlstant station for closing sald circuit, mechanical means for locking said circuit and rendering said electromagnetic means nonresponsive, and means controlled from the distant station for operating said mechanism to effect the release of said mechanical means to thereby open the local power circuit and restore said electromagnetic means to a responsive condition.

2. A communication system comprising a plurality of stations, recording means including a selectively operated mechanism and a local circuit for supplying electric power at each of said stations, signaling responsive means controlled from a distant station for closing said circuit, automatic mechanical means for-'locking said circuit and rendering said signal responsive means ineffective, and means controlled from the distant station for operating said mechanism to permit the release of the mechanical means to thereby open the local circuit and restore said signa mg responsive means.

3. A telegraph system comprising a pluing said mechanisms to effect the release of said mechanical means to thereby disconnect the sources of energy and restore said electromagnetic means to a responsive condition.

4. A printing telegraph system comprising a plurality of subscribers stations, a line circuit for interconnecting said stations, a

' printer set including a motor and a selectively operated mechanism at each of said stations, electromagnetic means responsive to a signal from a distant station for starting said motor, automatic mechanical means for maintaining said motor in an operated condition and for rendering said electromagnetic means non-responsive for the duration of a message, and means controlled from the calling station for operating said mechanism to effect the release of said mechanical means to thereby stop the motor and restore said electromagnetic means to a responsive condition 5., A printing telegraph system compris ing a ppirality of subscribers stations, a line circuit or interconnecting said stations, contacts arranged to be normallyopened in said circuit, a printer set including a motor and a shifting mechanism at each of said stations, electromagnetic means responsiveto a signal from a distantstation for starting said motor, automatic mechanical means for maintaining said motor in an operated condition andfor closing said contacts to render the electromagnetic means non-responsive for the duration of the message, and means controlled from the calling station for operating said mechanism to efi'ect the release of said mechanicalmeans to thereby stop the motor, and to open said contacts to thereby restore said electromagnetic means to a responsive condition. 6; 'A printing telegra h system comprising a plurality of subscri ers stations, a line circuit for interconnecting said stations, a

printer set including a motor and a selectively operated mechanism at each of said stations, electromagnetic means responsive to a signal from a distant station for starting said motor, other electroma netic means for preventing the printing of c aracters except in response to message impulses from the distant station, automatic mechanical means for maintainin said motor in an operated condition and or rendering the first mentioned electromagnetic means non-responsive'for the duration of a message, and an operable member controlled from the calling station. for operating said mechanism to efi'ect the release of said mechanical means to thereby sto themotor and restore said first mentione electromagnetic means to a responsive condition In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this 29th day of March, 1926.

EDWARD F. WATSON. 

